Heroin, fentanyl seized and numerous arrested in Arizona operation

PHOENIX – In conjunction with federal and state prosecutors, law enforcement officers involved in the opioid task force have arrested more than 90 traffickers and seized hundreds of pounds of drugs in the first quarter of 2018.

According to a release, the surge operation was meant to disrupt the opioid traffickers in Arizona and promote the sharing of intelligence between federal, state and local law enforcement.

“The opioid epidemic is a significant public safety concern that continues to kill a record number of Arizonans,” First Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange said. “In the last three months, our office has devoted additional resources to assist federal and stat law enforcement to enforce our drug laws.

“This surge of resources and coordination with our federal and state law enforcement partners will continue until significant strides are made in disrupting the flow of heroin and fentanyl into our communities and schools.”

Fentanyl has become easier to obtain in the U.S. as of late. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), it only takes a small amount of exposure to the drug or its derivatives to cause severe and potentially fatal side effects.

Over 80 pounds of fentanyl powder and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills designed to look like OxyContin were seized during the operation period.

Law enforcement officials also seized more than 300 pounds of heroin and diverted over 300 people who had been suffering from drug abuse for treatment.

“The relationship between the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and our Federal and local law enforcement partners is as strong as it has ever been,” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said.

“By collaborating together, we are working towards a common goal of dismantling large scale opioid trafficking operations from Arizona communities.”

The surge led to the prosecution of a heroin dealer in Tucson, whose heroin was found to be the cause of death for a victim.

Additionally, a Phoenix medical professional who was found to be purchasing OxyContin and morphine from a patient at a medical facility and the seizure of a large load of fentanyl powder in Mohave County were the results of the operation.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said the operation highlighted the various law enforcement agencies’ willingness to work together to combat the ongoing epidemic in Arizona.

“Heroin and fentanyl traffickers continue to seek to exploit Arizona as a major thoroughfare for drug trafficking to the detriment of Arizonans and the Arizona legislature should give us the tools we are asking for to deal with this clearly identified threat,” he added.

In an additional effort to get a hold on the epidemic, the DEA is urging individuals to participate in the National Prescription Drug Takeback Day, where individuals can safely dispose of unwanted prescription opioids or other prescribed medication.

Collection sites will be set up throughout the state, with the program running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“Opioid overdoses kill 115 Americans every day,” Doug Coleman, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s Phoenix division, said.

“The DEA in Arizona will target those who prey on the addiction of others by illegally distributing opioids, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure these criminals face justice.”

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